CeramicsCreating Pinch Pots

Clay Made from earth,

water and fire.

Clay is different from mud, since it has plasticity. This gives it the ability to hold together while its being shaped.

Basic Terms Ceramics – Clay objects that permanently

retain their shape after they have been heated to specific temperatures.

Pottery – Functional Ware, such as vases, pots, bowls or plates, shaped from moist clay and hardened by heat.

Basic Terms cont. Wedge – A way of improving the

workability of clay by reforming the mixture to make it homogeneous and even in texture while eliminating air bubbles.

Basic Terms cont. Kiln – A structure built to fire clay

at high temperatures.

Fire – Heating pottery or clay sculpture to a temperature high enough to render it hard and durable.

Basic Terms cont.

Construction Hand built Methods

Pinch method: Technique that involves squeezing the clay, usually between thumb and fingers.

Construction Coil method: Attaching rolls of

clay together to form pottery.

Construction Slab method: Technique that involves

shaping clay into a broad, flat, thick piece.

Clay Stages Greenware – Unfired pottery

or sculpture. Leatherhard – The stage

between plastic and bone dry when clay is dried, but may still be carved or joined to other pieces.

Bone dry – Stage of drying when moisture in the clay body has evaporated so the clay surface no longer feels cold.

Clay Stages cont. Bisqueware – Ceramic ware

that has gone through the first firing at a relatively low temperature and still maintains its porous state.

Glazeware – Ceramic ware that has been fired at a high temperature with glaze, which forms a coating of glass onto the surface.

Tools Fettling knife – A long tapered

knife used for cutting and trimming clay.

Loop tool – A small loop with a handle used to carve clay away.

Joining Techniques

Score – Scratching the edges of clay before joining them together.

Slip – A fluid suspension of clay in water used in joining clay pieces and for surface decoration.

Bond – A mix made from clay slip of the same type of clay as the clay piece.

Lidded Vessels